Support

A cookie is a piece of data stored by your browser or device that helps websites like this one recognize return visitors. We use cookies to give you the best experience on BNA.com. Some cookies are also necessary for the technical operation of our website. If you continue browsing, you agree to this site’s use of cookies.

Marketing Services

Bloomberg Next marketing services allow clients to elevate their brands and extend their reach through our established and trusted expertise, enhanced with engaging event production, appealing design, and compelling messaging.

House lawmakers introduced legislation Jan 18 that goes beyond requiring mandatory
anti-sexual harassment training for Capitol Hill staffers. And it looks like the bill
will have the type of bipartisan support that’s become exceedingly rare in recent
years.

“It’s been an incredibly amicable, bipartisan process,” a spokesperson in Rep. Jackie
Speier’s (D-Calif.) office told Bloomberg Law, adding that the level of collaboration
was surprising and almost odd.

The bill, the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, was introduced
by Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) and is co-sponsored by Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.),
Speier, and others. The CAA is the existing law that sets out the procedures for dealing
with sexual harassment or other workplace complaints in Congress.

Both the House and the Senate have passed resolutions for training, but the reform
bill—based on an earlier bill called the MeToo Congress Act—is intended to be a comprehensive
overhaul of the policies regarding sexual harassment against people employed by lawmakers
and congressional offices.

The legislation would do away with mandatory counseling, mediation, and “cooling off”
periods before an alleged victim can file a claim, and would make confidentiality
optional in each of those processes.

The bill also require lawmakers to use their own funds if they settle a sexual harassment
claim, as opposed to taxpayer dollars.

The committee members “sought to work collectively and in a bipartisan manner to identify
the necessary reforms that ensure the initiation, investigation, and adjudication
processes” and “protect the rights of employees,” the Republican leadership said in
a joint statement.

“Both sides have been very focused—you don’t have an opportunity like this often where
you can get a bipartisan bill through Congress at this pace that directly impacts
members of Congress,” Speier’s spokesperson said.

Speier Optimistic About Passing Bill

Speier introduced measures to reform harassment policies in previous years, but she
met resistance from her colleagues and those efforts ultimately failed.

She helped draft the MeToo Congress Act, which was the basis for the current bill,
according to staffers for members of the House Administration Committee. The bill
includes every provision Speier proposed, and some additions, a spokesperson in her
office told Bloomberg Law.

The congresswoman spoke on a podcast hosted by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) a week
before the bill was released. She said recent developments involving President Donald
Trump and movie executive Harvey Weinstein have created a “sea change” that has her
optimistic about the bill’s chances.

“If you’d told me this would happen” some months or years ago, Speier said on the
podcast, “I’d have said no chance.”

“But a couple things have happened since,” she added, referencing reports about Trump
talking about women in recordings from the Access Hollywood television show; the Weinstein
scandal; and the 2017 worldwide demonstration known as the Women’s March.

“The culture change here is happening,” Speier said. “Some of it will take a little
time, but I do believe there’s a sea change here.”

Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) commended Speier and others for their work,
in an e-mailed statement. “During this watershed moment, we must all keep up the drumbeat
of energy and activism to end the scourges of discrimination and sexual harassment,”
Pelosi said.

All Bloomberg BNA treatises are available on standing order, which ensures you will always receive the most current edition of the book or supplement of the title you have ordered from Bloomberg BNA’s book division. As soon as a new supplement or edition is published (usually annually) for a title you’ve previously purchased and requested to be placed on standing order, we’ll ship it to you to review for 30 days without any obligation. During this period, you can either (a) honor the invoice and receive a 5% discount (in addition to any other discounts you may qualify for) off the then-current price of the update, plus shipping and handling or (b) return the book(s), in which case, your invoice will be cancelled upon receipt of the book(s). Call us for a prepaid UPS label for your return. It’s as simple and easy as that. Most importantly, standing orders mean you will never have to worry about the timeliness of the information you’re relying on. And, you may discontinue standing orders at any time by contacting us at 1.800.960.1220 or by sending an email to books@bna.com.

Put me on standing order at a 5% discount off list price of all future updates, in addition to any other discounts I may quality for. (Returnable within 30 days.)

Notify me when updates are available (No standing order will be created).

This Bloomberg BNA report is available on standing order, which ensures you will all receive the latest edition. This report is updated annually and we will send you the latest edition once it has been published. By signing up for standing order you will never have to worry about the timeliness of the information you need. And, you may discontinue standing orders at any time by contacting us at 1.800.372.1033, option 5, or by sending us an email to research@bna.com.

Put me on standing order

Notify me when new releases are available (no standing order will be created)